Let’s Go Red!

Just a quick post tonight. It’s been a busy day of activities for the kids, homework, and grad school class. Right now, I’m busy preparing for my formal campaign announcement and fundraiser that takes place tomorrow night.

I’m also looking forward to Saturday afternoon. There’s big sports news from my alma mater. RPI’s men’s hockey team heads to Green Bay, WI for a Saturday NCAA tournament game against North Dakota. The last time RPI had an NCAA bid was the year I graduated: 1995.  I wish we could make a Midwest trip to watch them play, especially since it would be a great excuse to go visit Grandma in “America’s Dairyland.” But we’ll have to settle for watching the game on TV.

I suppose that I should also wish RPI’s Capital District rival, Union College, good luck as they head to the NCAA’s for the first time. While I’m hoping for an RPI championship, I think it would be incredible to see both teams in the NCAA Frozen Four, especially if they got a chance to face off against each other. Long shot, I know.

In the meantime:

Puckman's Ready!

Now that’s a Big Red Freakout

College hockey: my favorite spectator sport. It’s great when my alma mater, RPI, wins. It’s even better when it’s a win over the number one team in the nation. That would be the Yale Bulldogs.

5-2. A solid victory for the Engineers.

Sweet Victory

Doesn’t get much better than that.

Except maybe for the guy participating in the puck-shooting contest. He won a lease on a brand-new car. In the contest, a piece of plywood, (I think), is placed in front of the net. It’s got a wee little puck-sized slot at the bottom center. I actually participated in the puck-shooting contest a few years ago. All I accomplished was making a fool of myself. Tonight, the guy participating put the puck through the slot and into the net on his first shot from center ice.

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Let’s Go Red!

When a Loss is a Win

RPI, my alma mater, lost last night’s hockey game to Clarkson (boo) in overtime.  Normally, I’d be tempted to grumble about trekking through the snow, only to see the boys in red & white lose to their green & gold rivals.

But not yesterday.  It was a great game to watch: fast-paced and hard-hitting.

I got to interact with friends I haven’t seen in over a year.

My two-year old was thrilled to watch the Zamboni resurface the ice.  He stood at the glass and gleefully hopped as it went past.

My four-year old cheerfully traded high-fives with the RPI players as they entered the ice.

Not bad for a Friday night family outing!

On the way home, my four-year old said, “Dad, I was angry that the green guys won.  I won’t yell about it, but I wasn’t happy.”

My wife and I reassured him that it wasn’t anything to get angry about.  It was a good game that we all enjoyed.

Inwardly, though, I couldn’t help but think, “Woo-hoo!  He’s not a Clarkson fan!”

Congrats to RPI Hockey (and Union… if I have to)

It can’t be all politics.  So, tonight’s post is all about college hockey.

ECAC hockey regular season play wrapped up tonight.  Congrats to the RPI men’s hockey team!  They finished with a tie for fifth place this season.  Ok, they will actually be in sixth place for playoff seeding purposes.  For the record, RPI is my alma mater.  And as much as it pains me, congrats also to the rival program at Union College.  They finished in third place.

RPI came very close to finishing in fourth place or better.  A win over Colgate this weekend would have given them just that.  Certainly, their season is much better than the dismal preseason predictions.  They only lost by a goal in at least six of their conference losses.  They also had three ties.  They pounded first-place Yale both times they faced them.  RPI has a great shot at making the ECAC finals this year.  First, they have to beat Brown next weekend.

And, yes, I have to admit that Union has been amazing this year.  They came very close to a first place finish, and I believe this is the best they have ever done in conference play.  It’s good to see both Capital District teams doing well.

While I’m at it, special recognition goes out to RPI’s #21 Chase Polacek.  He is in the running for the Hobey Baker, college hockey’s top award.  At times, he has led the NCAA in scoring.  I believe that he will end the regular season with 24 goals and 26 assist:  50 points!  Great job!  I’m pulling for you to win the Hobey.

Let’s Go Red!